Few coaches have a more defined track record than the Seahawks' Carroll, but fans keep expecting him to change his philosophy after trading Russell Wilson
Lock has shown no ability to grow the kind of facial hair that I expect from the second coming of Charlie Whitehurst (aka Clipboard Jesus). My question at this point isn't who plays QB next year, but how close are Waldron and Carroll in their offensive philosophies and what that relationship looks like oven the next three to five years. That seems like our new window to get everything right, but Waldron is like that puzzle piece that is already in place, and the colors match well, but it's all green and blue, so you can't quite tell for sure that it's really the right piece.
Here we go again! A long list of supposed candidates, but why bother? It is what what it is, because everybody has decided that Pete Carroll IS the God-like one. WE suggest, we hint, we raise our voices. We are on the road to nowhere in THAT regard. I give up suggesting. It's apparent that I'm so far off of the mark that only Nick Foles remains ... from my list. Not holding my breath.
I was bummed when the Wilson trade was made but after a few days of reflection, I realized that Russ no longer fit the PC philosophy for this team. The QB has to be "all in" on the team's philosophy for the team to be successful. Russ was no longer that guy. I am not thrilled by the list of QBs available but I would not be disappointed if Gardner Minshew were to end being the stop gap QB or a year. Pete is not going to change his philosophy, nor should he. Any QB they obtain needs to fit the system that is in place. I still believe in Pete and his record is pretty clear.
Bravo, really liked this piece. BTW, Matt Ryan is the last three years of Ben Roethlisberger.
The narrartive has been that Pete held Wilson back, that Russ was the only reason we ever won a game, that Pete prevented Russ from winning more Super Bowls. Heck, we lost the Super Bowl to the Pats on that final, fateful play because Russell was on the bench and Pete Carroll threw an interception! The reality is Pete and John built a great team that might well have won the Super Bowl without Russ. In the beginning Russ didn't get any credit because, according to the national media, he was just a game manager. I understand why that burned him but it's very obvious to me that winning was no longer enough. Wilson wanted to win AND he wanted the credit. Building his legacy became his mission and I think the team became secondary. Everybody knows the 2020 scenario of a sensational, MVP first half only to crumble because Pete was stubborn, old school and wouldn't put up with the turnovers created by... Russell Wilson. With all of Russ' experience why did he refuse to adjust his game when every defense went to a two deep look? I got so very frustrated watching two, even three guys open on short and intermediate routes but Russ would still throw a low percentage bomb. He needs to be the hero. I look forward to getting back to "college" atmosphere where nobody is bigger than the team. Look, I not denying Russell's talent but it's still a team game.
Your lucid analysis and lack of "hot takes" is greatly appreciated.
Having played and coached at lower levels, and been "inside the building" in Eugene, Renton and elsewhere (as an invited guest, not an employee), the distinct lack of legit analysis and over-abundance of poorly-formed opinions in sports media -- frequently from a position of zero practical game knowledge beyond "learned lingo" -- has always been annoying.
For every Dave Wyman, imparting actual football knowledge and on-the-field insight, there's a hundred (often very hard-working) wanna-be sportscasters and reporters adding little more than a little more cacophony to the mass media echo chamber.
Your efforts to avoid injecting personal opinion and bias, and develop a clear (if speculative) understanding of what's actually happening inside VMAC are what set you apart in my mind. This old dog out of the PNW is happy to have found your work.
Based on gut feelings informed by personal experience AND four decades observing the game up-close, I'm comfortable making the following assertions :
1) I won't be surprised if the "old-new look" 'Hawks finish the season with a winning record, even if they don't take the division. All the post-Wilson "doom & gloom" in the media today is just as ludicrous as the draft grades levelled at the team after the 2012 draft a DECADE ago.
2) The 'Hawks and their Top-5 run-based offense will NOT be boring. Think about it : in the eyes of the national media, this is DK's team now. He's their biggest star, the new face of the team. I'll bet you a Eurobuck he ditches the pacifier this season -- and makes a legit run at 2K. Boo-yah.
3) Look at the RCVR room; DK and Lockett, Eskridge and Swain are a solid WR1-4. A healthy Penny, Walker, Homer and Dallas gives them an above-average RB room. My gut feeling on Noah Fant is positive. Barring 49'er levels of injury (touching wood), they have weapons.
4) Finally, we'll have a QB under center who can see over the bloody O-line. Don't read this wrong. Wilson arrived in Seattle an underappreciated talent, worked his a** off, and proved an über-successful athlete within Carroll's program and philosophy. As his skills, salary -- and self-image -- expanded, the challenges started piling up.
[ FULL DISCLOSURE : I've never been able to let go of the suspicion RW3 changed THE play at the line on the 1 and Carroll has been running interference for him ever since. It's still just a hunch, but it would go a long way to explaining the "aftermath". ]
5) RW3 departed a legend *still* in the making and we should wish him all the best. He gave his all for ten solid seasons. The thing is, and he won't admit it out loud, even Russ has limits. Which is why he was moved this year. Last season provided clarity (see speculation below). It was time. If he'd played with the 'Hawks this season and struggled even a bit, there goes his trade value.
6) I'm actually MORE excited about this season's team than I have been in a few years. All the hemming, hawing and hand-waving among the mass media horde -- and everyone caught in the whirlpool of their never-ending spin cycle -- is exactly the same flavor of hot air it's always been.
I'll close with a personal speculation. There were a few specific moments on-camera last year where it was possible to observe player reactions on the sidelines. Between the body language and visible "eye-rolling" in reaction to Wilson's vocalizing, I began to suspect he might be losing (or already have lost) the team. Perhaps that was part of the larger problem...?
True or not, it's nonetheless been a pleasure to watch JS & PC back in their element. Based on what they accomplished on their first go 'round, I'm looking forward to this new version. NFC West title or not, they're going to be *scary* fast on both sides of the ball.
Really good analysis! The Russell Wilson admiration was enhanced constantly with every halftime panel, game commentator (for every NFL game, not just Seahawks), and sport blog bringing up the great Russell Wilson and the Seahawks in comparison to every other team. That kind of attention fed into Russell's idea that he was the sun the team revolved around. It was time to let Russell go. There were plenty of players who got traded in the past who I always considered a Seahawk first. Oddly, I don't feel that about Wilson after how clearly he was separating himself from the team for at least the past two seasons.
The media has started that same build up with Mahomes. It'll be interesting to see if he handles it better.
Here's another sobering thought based around this article. I'm sure some of us (like me, admittedly) expect that if the Seahawks have a bad year, it's a really bad year so that Seattle can pick at the top of the draft and get the QB of the future. What if they end up with a top-2 pick in the 2023 Draft and DON'T pick a QB? Given this article, that's definitely in the realm of possibility. Then what happens to a) the team and b) the fan base? I know team administrators really don't care about fans wishes when it comes to constructing the team, but should they? Would having a shot at Stroud or Young and passing on them kill enthusiasm in the team once and for all?
Pete’s philosophy has been to go with the QB that fits in his system. Wilson was so good that Pete let him mess with the system. It was a great ride, but was only good for one early championship. Here’s hoping Pete’s second chance is just as successful.
Hey. I gotta stay with Carroll. Been fun since be showed up. He will not disappoint.
Lock has shown no ability to grow the kind of facial hair that I expect from the second coming of Charlie Whitehurst (aka Clipboard Jesus). My question at this point isn't who plays QB next year, but how close are Waldron and Carroll in their offensive philosophies and what that relationship looks like oven the next three to five years. That seems like our new window to get everything right, but Waldron is like that puzzle piece that is already in place, and the colors match well, but it's all green and blue, so you can't quite tell for sure that it's really the right piece.
Here we go again! A long list of supposed candidates, but why bother? It is what what it is, because everybody has decided that Pete Carroll IS the God-like one. WE suggest, we hint, we raise our voices. We are on the road to nowhere in THAT regard. I give up suggesting. It's apparent that I'm so far off of the mark that only Nick Foles remains ... from my list. Not holding my breath.
I was bummed when the Wilson trade was made but after a few days of reflection, I realized that Russ no longer fit the PC philosophy for this team. The QB has to be "all in" on the team's philosophy for the team to be successful. Russ was no longer that guy. I am not thrilled by the list of QBs available but I would not be disappointed if Gardner Minshew were to end being the stop gap QB or a year. Pete is not going to change his philosophy, nor should he. Any QB they obtain needs to fit the system that is in place. I still believe in Pete and his record is pretty clear.
Bravo, really liked this piece. BTW, Matt Ryan is the last three years of Ben Roethlisberger.
The narrartive has been that Pete held Wilson back, that Russ was the only reason we ever won a game, that Pete prevented Russ from winning more Super Bowls. Heck, we lost the Super Bowl to the Pats on that final, fateful play because Russell was on the bench and Pete Carroll threw an interception! The reality is Pete and John built a great team that might well have won the Super Bowl without Russ. In the beginning Russ didn't get any credit because, according to the national media, he was just a game manager. I understand why that burned him but it's very obvious to me that winning was no longer enough. Wilson wanted to win AND he wanted the credit. Building his legacy became his mission and I think the team became secondary. Everybody knows the 2020 scenario of a sensational, MVP first half only to crumble because Pete was stubborn, old school and wouldn't put up with the turnovers created by... Russell Wilson. With all of Russ' experience why did he refuse to adjust his game when every defense went to a two deep look? I got so very frustrated watching two, even three guys open on short and intermediate routes but Russ would still throw a low percentage bomb. He needs to be the hero. I look forward to getting back to "college" atmosphere where nobody is bigger than the team. Look, I not denying Russell's talent but it's still a team game.
Your lucid analysis and lack of "hot takes" is greatly appreciated.
Having played and coached at lower levels, and been "inside the building" in Eugene, Renton and elsewhere (as an invited guest, not an employee), the distinct lack of legit analysis and over-abundance of poorly-formed opinions in sports media -- frequently from a position of zero practical game knowledge beyond "learned lingo" -- has always been annoying.
For every Dave Wyman, imparting actual football knowledge and on-the-field insight, there's a hundred (often very hard-working) wanna-be sportscasters and reporters adding little more than a little more cacophony to the mass media echo chamber.
Your efforts to avoid injecting personal opinion and bias, and develop a clear (if speculative) understanding of what's actually happening inside VMAC are what set you apart in my mind. This old dog out of the PNW is happy to have found your work.
Based on gut feelings informed by personal experience AND four decades observing the game up-close, I'm comfortable making the following assertions :
1) I won't be surprised if the "old-new look" 'Hawks finish the season with a winning record, even if they don't take the division. All the post-Wilson "doom & gloom" in the media today is just as ludicrous as the draft grades levelled at the team after the 2012 draft a DECADE ago.
2) The 'Hawks and their Top-5 run-based offense will NOT be boring. Think about it : in the eyes of the national media, this is DK's team now. He's their biggest star, the new face of the team. I'll bet you a Eurobuck he ditches the pacifier this season -- and makes a legit run at 2K. Boo-yah.
3) Look at the RCVR room; DK and Lockett, Eskridge and Swain are a solid WR1-4. A healthy Penny, Walker, Homer and Dallas gives them an above-average RB room. My gut feeling on Noah Fant is positive. Barring 49'er levels of injury (touching wood), they have weapons.
4) Finally, we'll have a QB under center who can see over the bloody O-line. Don't read this wrong. Wilson arrived in Seattle an underappreciated talent, worked his a** off, and proved an über-successful athlete within Carroll's program and philosophy. As his skills, salary -- and self-image -- expanded, the challenges started piling up.
[ FULL DISCLOSURE : I've never been able to let go of the suspicion RW3 changed THE play at the line on the 1 and Carroll has been running interference for him ever since. It's still just a hunch, but it would go a long way to explaining the "aftermath". ]
5) RW3 departed a legend *still* in the making and we should wish him all the best. He gave his all for ten solid seasons. The thing is, and he won't admit it out loud, even Russ has limits. Which is why he was moved this year. Last season provided clarity (see speculation below). It was time. If he'd played with the 'Hawks this season and struggled even a bit, there goes his trade value.
6) I'm actually MORE excited about this season's team than I have been in a few years. All the hemming, hawing and hand-waving among the mass media horde -- and everyone caught in the whirlpool of their never-ending spin cycle -- is exactly the same flavor of hot air it's always been.
I'll close with a personal speculation. There were a few specific moments on-camera last year where it was possible to observe player reactions on the sidelines. Between the body language and visible "eye-rolling" in reaction to Wilson's vocalizing, I began to suspect he might be losing (or already have lost) the team. Perhaps that was part of the larger problem...?
True or not, it's nonetheless been a pleasure to watch JS & PC back in their element. Based on what they accomplished on their first go 'round, I'm looking forward to this new version. NFC West title or not, they're going to be *scary* fast on both sides of the ball.
Go 'Hawks.
Really good analysis! The Russell Wilson admiration was enhanced constantly with every halftime panel, game commentator (for every NFL game, not just Seahawks), and sport blog bringing up the great Russell Wilson and the Seahawks in comparison to every other team. That kind of attention fed into Russell's idea that he was the sun the team revolved around. It was time to let Russell go. There were plenty of players who got traded in the past who I always considered a Seahawk first. Oddly, I don't feel that about Wilson after how clearly he was separating himself from the team for at least the past two seasons.
The media has started that same build up with Mahomes. It'll be interesting to see if he handles it better.
Here's another sobering thought based around this article. I'm sure some of us (like me, admittedly) expect that if the Seahawks have a bad year, it's a really bad year so that Seattle can pick at the top of the draft and get the QB of the future. What if they end up with a top-2 pick in the 2023 Draft and DON'T pick a QB? Given this article, that's definitely in the realm of possibility. Then what happens to a) the team and b) the fan base? I know team administrators really don't care about fans wishes when it comes to constructing the team, but should they? Would having a shot at Stroud or Young and passing on them kill enthusiasm in the team once and for all?
Pete’s philosophy has been to go with the QB that fits in his system. Wilson was so good that Pete let him mess with the system. It was a great ride, but was only good for one early championship. Here’s hoping Pete’s second chance is just as successful.